Page 64 - the-odyssey

neighbouring cities that are subject to me. We should thus
have seen one another continually, and nothing but death
could have interrupted so close and happy an intercourse. I
suppose, however, that heaven grudged us such great good
fortune, for it has prevented the poor fellow from ever get-
ting home at all.’
Thus did he speak, and his words set them all a weep-
ing. Helen wept, Telemachus wept, and so did Menelaus,
nor could Pisistratus keep his eyes from filling, when he
remembered his dear brother Antilochus whom the son of
bright Dawn had killed. Thereon he said to Menelaus,
‘Sir, my father Nestor, when we used to talk about you at
home, told me you were a person of rare and excellent un-
derstanding. If, then, it be possible, do as I would urge you. I
am not fond of crying while I am getting my supper. Morn-
ing will come in due course, and in the forenoon I care not
how much I cry for those that are dead and gone. This is
all we can do for the poor things. We can only shave our
heads for them and wring the tears from our cheeks. I had
a brother who died at Troy; he was by no means the worst
man there; you are sure to have known him—his name was
Antilochus; I never set eyes upon him myself, but they say
that he was singularly fleet of foot and in fight valiant.’
‘Your discretion, my friend,’ answered Menelaus, ‘is be-
yond your years. It is plain you take after your father. One
can soon see when a man is son to one whom heaven has
blessed both as regards wife and offspring—and it has
blessed Nestor from first to last all his days, giving him a
green old age in his own house, with sons about him who